The second part of the campaign will focus on the dangers of illegally using a mobile phone

while driving.

“There are now no longer any excuses – it is simply unacceptable to touch your mobile phone

while driving,” Mrs Harvey said.

“A lot more needs to be done. Everybody driving around will see people doing really stupid things with their mobile phones every single day.

“What people aren’t realising is that when they’re fiddling with their phone, they’re not driving their vehicle and that two to three seconds ... of distraction when you’re driving a 1.5 tonne vehicle, even at 50 or 60km/h – that’s just an out of control juggernaut.”

Some of the changes include tougher penalties for mobile phone use — up to a $400 fine and three demerit points — and a number of traffic offence fines to increase by up to $300.

“Using your mobile phone, running a red light and speeding are just some of the broad range

of offences that will see an increase in fines and demerit points,” Mrs Harvey said.

“People will start seeing messages about penalty changes on television, hearing about them

on the radio, and reading about the amendments through press and online channels.”

A total of $950,000 has been allocated to tell the community about these changes.